Saturday, September 29, 2007

The Mister and I took the kids on a trip to Northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon. We left early on Monday and returned last night.

It was a blast. No Phones. No Computer. No Make-up (Oh! I did miss my mascara, I won't lie). No working out (except for those daily hikes).

There was laughter, campfires, mishaps, smores, camp food (chips EVERY! DAY!), there were wild animals, amazing weather (no snow!!!!), and lots of funny stories. Next week I will give recaps of the five days we spent together.

Of course vacation is now over as we jump back into real-life this morning cleaning up our camp stuff and doing laundry between the soccer games and running errands.

Again, a big thanks to meh for blog-sitting. And to The Parents for dog-sitting (note to self: don't forget to pick up Kona today), and to Lenny, the Amazing house-sitting Beta fish, who not only stayed all by himself keeping guard of the house all week, but lived to tell us all about it. (How many times can I use the word "all" in one sentance?)

OK, I gotta go get my chores done so that I can sit down and catch up with all y'alls blogs and emails!

I have continued to sing that song over the years, especially to the kids as I walk into their rooms to wake them up on Friday mornings. Usually when I walk in the room The Boy looks at me with a bit of, I like that you do this, but I am going to act a bit like I don't.

The Girl likes it too, but being less of a morning person usually just covers her head with her quilt.

What I didn't know was that the radio station here still plays that song on Fridays! Normally in the morning I will put on a music CD because it gets the kids movin' and helps them get ready for school with a bit more hitch in theirget-a-long, if you know what I mean. Last Friday around 7:15 I switched on the radio. I was getting lunches together when the Friday Song began to play.

The kids came running into the kitchen with wide eyes and crazy jumping, saying "That radio is playing YOUR Friday song!!!! How did they know YOUR Friday song?"

Tuesday, September 25, 2007

It is amazing to me that you celebrate a decade of living today. You came into the world a 9 and a half pound contented bundle and you are just as sweet today.

I have a thousand and one things I could tell you today, but I do want you to know this: Your Dad and I are so very proud of you.

This weekend we saw that your adorable younger (boy) cousins got the hair cut, just like yours and that made me feel so happy. Not because I think your hair is the best part about you (although it's very nice), but because I know that you know they look up to you, and you know respect is earned.

At your birthday party this weekend it was fun to see you hang out with your friends and cousins, and your little sister (and grandparents and aunts and uncles) and see you engage each of them with love and affection.

I had a moment at your party when I wanted to weep because it became very clear that you are growing up. After the presents were all opened and you had read the last card, I was just about to prompt you to say "Thanks You" to all who were watching you open the gifts, but you did it on your own. You just proudly looked up and said, "Thanks for coming everybody".

Sweetheart, I thank God for you everyday and am so grateful that you are my son.

Saturday, September 22, 2007

I really wanted today to be a Sleep-In Saturday. But my body is so programmed to be up at a certain time in the morning that I think it's stuck. Or maybe it's that I am getting old.

This morning I woke up at 4:41, told myself it was Saturday, the only day of the week that I try not to get up before the crack of dawn, and tried to fall back asleep. It didn't work. I found myself composing a blog entry in my head on the tragedy of waking up early on a Saturday.

Every morning my alarm is set to wake me up at precisely 5:03 am. Why 5:03? Well, it started many years ago when I wanted to get up early but five in the morning seemed such an ungodly hour, but that's when I needed to be up if I wanted to have sometime for myself. Somehow 5:00 o'clock seemed a little too close to 4:59, which would mean that I was getting up when it was still four in the morning, so three minutes into the five o'clock hour seemed more agreeable to me.

Hey, we all have our quirks.

In the last few weeks I have been waking up before the alarm at almost the exact same time every morning: 4:44. I could jump out of bed and get a start in the day but usually, I lay in bed like a dog in a "down-stay" until the alarm goes off. The automatic timer on the coffee pot won't have my coffee ready until 5am. If I get out of bed an earlier it won't be ready, and that is no fun.

This morning, I wake up and it's still dark. I look at the clock.

Its 4:41am.

Oh rats! It's Saturday, roll over and go to sleep.

Bad idea. My bladder is about to explode, which means I have to get out of bed and walk across the room to the bathroom. The chances of falling asleep after getting out bed are pretty slim. How long can I hold it? Hmmm, what time is it again? Don't open both eyes when you look at the clock, if both eyes aren't open maybe the body won't think it's awake. No, if you get up it's over, if you sleep on your back you might not have to get up for at least another hour.

4:43am -

Go back to sleep. Go BACK to sleep! I'm not going to be able to concentrate on sleep if my bladder is full, maybe if go quickly to the bathroom, don't open your eyes and try not to think too much, then get back into bed close your eyes and go back to sleep.

4:44 am -

OK! all is good. Go back to sleep...

4:46 am -

If I get up I could blog since I didn't have time to write yesterday...I wonder if my coffee is ready?

4:48 -

This is ridiculous. Get up and get going!

And here I am. Now it is 5:43 and I have downed my first cup of coffee and I am ready for seconds.

Who knew that almost a decade ago when getting up early, (something I had to MAKE myself do) would become a problem of the opposite issue. Now, I have find a way to be able to sleep in one morning of the week!

Actually, I think I will take my (2nd) cup of coffee and my camera outside and get some pictures of the sunrise. In the mornings when I am running while the sun comes up I always feel sad that I don't have my camera. That alone is worth waking up early!

Thursday, September 20, 2007

I checked out Martha Stewarts, Baking Handbook, again, from the library. I am sure that the librarians think I am the biggest goon, checking and re-checking this book out. I need to just go buy this thing.

Today I have a ton of errands to run and things to do to prepare for the next few weeks. But all I can think about is how this morning, when I woke up, it was 69 degrees outside.

Friends, fall is coming to the desert. It's a beautiful thing. When fall happens I want to be making ginger bread and pumpkin loaf cake and and trying some new recipes. Oh yeah, and my coffee consumption goes up exponentially. It's all good!

I was thinking about the pumpkin patch and sweatshirts and Cookie, the blue heating blanket. I was thinking about spiced apples in puff pastry....and I don't even enjoy cooked fruit.

One of my goals for the fall break is to learn to make pastry dough. I have never tried this because I have felt a bit intimidated by it. But I think I can handle it, and now that it isn't 110 degrees outside ( although it will still get to 91 today) I think it is cool enough to try.

I have been reading up on pastry dough, not just in Martha's book, but in a few other cookbooks I have checked out lately. Speaking of, I just love this cook book, it reads like a novel, with stories about where and when she first used a recipe and other great stories of her being a chef. It's as fun to read as it is a great resource for recipes! I plan to check it out again soon. But I digress...

So instead of enjoying this fall time dream I am going to go to the gym, then to Costco; get the oil changed in the car; run to the book store to find a book The Boy put on his Birthday Wish List; run to the department store to buy new undershirts for The Mister; try to find out where I can get a Piñata for The Boy's birthday party on Sunday, and then try to get home to shower before I get the kids from school. At some point, I need to finish the breakfast dishes, make my bed, start a load of towels in the washer, make dinner, and get the kids to soccer practice.

But in my daydreams I will be in my kitchen whipping up a batch of Cranberry Pecan Rye Bread (pg 298), or Maple Walnut cupcakes (pg 164), or Spice Sandwich Cookies (pg 105) or..... or..... or.....

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Several years ago my mom gave me some cookbooks that had been taking up space on her book shelf. One of them was Meta Given's Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking (1969). It's the updated one. The original being copyrighted in 1947.

This is where my favorite biscuit recipe is found. And my favorite flapjacks and waffle recipe. And...and...and...

Anyway, I have used this cook book so much over the years (mostly for baking) that the spine is cracked and the pages are yellow. When you open it a light dusting of flour falls on the counter top.

What I love more than the recipes is the inscription to my Mom & Dad from my great aunt Gertrude:

I wish for you, youwill be as happy asyou were on your wedding days alwaysLoveAunt Gertrude

This past weekend I pulled out the floury book because I had promised June Cutoff Cash my biscuit recipe. I found myself reading the introduction and first chapter of this old cook book. Amazingly, the info on calories and food choice don't differ much from what people are telling us today. It seems Ms. Givens was as smart as she was gifted in cooking. Sixty years later lean proteins, veggies, fruits and whole grains are still the recommended way to balance our diets.

What I found interesting is that there is a whole chapter on the importance of feeding your family that I feel is lost in our "make it quick and convenient" culture we live in today. After the Table of Contents, and other reference helps she opens her book with the:

Meal Planners Creed:

The health of my family is in my care; therefore-

I will spare no effort in planning meals containing the right kinds of food in the rightamounts.

Spending the food dollar to get the most for it is my job; therefore -

I will choose foods from a wide variety, variously priced to save money without sacrificing health.

My family's enjoyment of food is my responsibility; - therefore

I will increase thier pleasure by preparing a variety of dishes attractive in color and form and pleasing in flavor and texture.

I loved reading this because sometimes the monotony of the evening meal gets in the way of my ability to see what a huge job I have in teaching my children how to fuel their bodies. It is a responsibility, but also a privilege! Sometimes I treat it like the "ill-tempered" fry cook from Mels Diner. Do you remember him?

I was inspired by Meta's encouragement to take cooking seriously! So my question for tonight (and tomorrow for you East-Coasties), whether you cook for a family of 10 or a family of 2:

What are you making for dinner?

If it's reservations, that's OK! Sometimes, we need that too! Tell me where you went (or ordered in)! Also, I will post my biscuit recipe in the comments for everyone!

Monday, September 17, 2007

The Blog may be a bit slow these next few weeks. This is the last week of school before the kids are on a fall break until mid October. This week I am preparing for The Boy's birthday and getting ready to have them home with me, which I love. I thought I would take a some time to drink my smoothie-lunch and type away at ya.

If you get a chance you should mosey on over to Biding My Time and wish meh a happy birthday. He latest post is all about shoes, which is why we are friends! meh, Happy Birthday my friend. I wish I could come over and make you a big 'ole home made chocolate cake and sit right down and eat it with you!

Last week was teacher conferences for both the kids. I just love where the kids are going to school right now. As a side note, If you are a teacher out there in blogger-land, I appreciate you! You're job is not an easy one!

Here is one thing that is so weird about teacher conferences for me. I always feel weepy during them. Now, I don't get all blubbery and do the ugly cry or anything, as a matter of fact the teachers probably don't even know I feel this way, but I have to hold my emotions in a lot while they are talking about my kids. Both teachers had nice things to say about my kids. They also gave areas where both kids could work harder (because we will never lack areas in our lives where we can improve) which I appreciate and respect. Both The Girl and The Boy are doing well in school so I can't figure out where the emotions come from. In the past I thought perhaps it was nervousness, but this time I wasn't at all nervous. I have been working in the classrooms for a couple of months and I feel really comfortable with both teachers. Anyway, are any of you Mom's out there the same way? Or am I just the weirdest bird on the planet?

OK, time is a tickin'. This always happens to me. I think that the kids will start school and I will have all this time to do "stuff" and the next thing you know September is half way over and then it's Thanksgiving...and Christmas...and the New Year!!! AUUGHHH!!!

Thursday, September 13, 2007

The Boy is learning about water systems in in science (his favorite subject) right now. For the last 48 hours this has been my life:

~While boiling water...

Mom! Do you know what is happening right now? The heat is causing all those water molecules to bounce around. Do you know what happens then the molecules form steam.

~When drinking iced tea...

Mom! Do you see that? Do you know what that is? The ice in your cup is causing condensation on the outside of you cup!

~When filling the dog bowl...

Mom! How much do you think Kona drinks? How much do you think is lost from evaporation?

~Meawhile...

The Girl is driving everyone crazy because I found a CD I had that was a seasonal sampler of some Broadway shows that a received several years ago (I LOVE musical theater!). I was listening to it and their are several songs from Annie.

The Girl asked if she could borrow and then proceeded to listen, for almost two, to those three songs from Annie, over and over, and over, again. Which makes me have an idea of what my parents went through when I was a kid. Because I did the same exact thing.

Of course, The Boy, when he heard the phrase, "Bet your bottom dollar there be sun." He replied, "Not if those clouds carryprecipitation!"

Last night, in my sleep, I was singing "Tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya! Tomorrow! Your only a...DAYYYYYYYY.. AAAAAA....WAAYYYYYYYYY!!!"

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Today was the first day of Ladies Bible Study at our new church. I was nervous. This is one of the hard parts of the "moving" routine: walking into a group a women, who all know each other, and try to be friendly; try to act normal, as if I just walk into groups of strangers everyday.

I was cringing as I walked to the church door because I have been involved in enough ladies bible studies to know that we are going to play mixer games and do weird stuff like "interview the person next to you and then tell the group about this person".

Several years ago, while I was leading the worship team for Ladies Bible study in Texas I became overwhelmed with anxiety over performing. It came out of nowhere and it hasn't gone away. People are often surprised that I have nervousness. But I always do. When I go somewhere new, when I sing in front of people, when I speak in front of people. The older I get, the worse the nerves get. It is very ridiculous, but for the moment it's the way it is.

So I get to the bible study and all is going fairly well. We are doing a Beth Moore bible study on the book of Daniel.

Here's the thing: it was this very bible study that I started with my Carolina Girls at the first of this year. I came to the first meeting, watched the video, said good bye, and we moved. So all these sweet memories of that night came flooding into my heart and mind and suddenly I am homesick, but not just for my NC girls, but for my Texas girls too (several who don't even live in TX anymore).

It was hard to walk into that room of 150 women and not know anybody. It was difficult as I saw these gals laughing with one another, talking about each others kids, and loving on each other and not be "one of the girls."

When I left the church, everyone was still hanging out and talking. I slipped out quietly, no one even knew I had gone. As I drove out of the parking lot I longed to call one of my friends, but with each name that went through my head I decided it was best to be quiet. To sit in the quiet. To feel sorry for myself, for just a minute. 60 seconds, not one second more.

There is no time for self pity here, there are Suddenly's happening all around me. Circumstances that are far more staggering than mine.

Of course it's September 11th, and today I couldn't help but think of that morning six years ago when suddenly the world didn't feel so safe anymore. It's those Suddenly's in life that are hard.

Yesterday I was reading a blog that I periodically frequent, written by a brave and courageous woman, wife and mother who is fighting brain cancer. She has links to other women who share in her struggles. One of them died yesterday and although I never knew her, never commented on her blog, I feel heavy hearted about her young husband and toddler son who will carry heartache in the days to come. Been praying for him all day today because it's the only way I can deal with the Suddenly's. Even the Suddenly's of people I will never meet.

Suddenly, walking into a room full of strangers, a room full of potential friends seems like the best thing that could have happened today.

A few months ago I realized that there is this whole blogging community out there that I never knew existed. Actually I knew there was a crafters blogging community, but I was a lurker. I loved going to a few of the more popular sites and seeing what they were making. I come from a line of people who make things with their hands, so it interests me. But this other communtiy of bloggers are all women, in my 30ish age bracket (although some are older) and most of them have one thing in common...

All of a sudden, after two years of blogging I began to realize that most bloggers are writers. Good writers. There are women who want to be writers. Like real live, want to write a book writers; write about things that effect other peopleslives and make them think kind of writers. I'm talking about people who are actually pursuing writing.

I'm not one of those.

I started keeping a journal in 4th grade. It wasn't that I really thought I liked writing as much as I liked the idea of a diary. A pretty book, filled with pretty blank pages that I could fill with my dreams and deep secrets. And maybe lock with a key.

I still journal most every morning. It takes me about a year or so to get through a new journal and I love finishing them. Not because I feel excited about penning out my thoughts, but because then I get to shop for a new beautifuljournal! It's a love affair with pretty paper more than anything else. I have about five more pages in my journal right now....this morning I found myself writing in bigger handwriting just trying to be finished. The new journal is just ready and waiting to be used!

Writing has always helped me. I have gotten through a lot of rough spots through journaling. It's something I hope I will always have the ability to do. It's not something I have ever shared.

This is the crux of my problem.

Writing for me has always just happened, but in the process has at times been deeply personal. Between the pages of the beautiful covers I could write my ugly thoughts, my personal failures, my deep wounds, my heartfelt joys, my fears, and an volumes and volumes of prayer. Probably not something I would put on this blog for just anyone to read.

The Blog started as a place where I wanted to connect with my friends who were suddenly unavailable for everyday face time. A place where my family who lived on the other side of the country to get updated.

Things in the bloggin' part of my brain were fine until I realized that I was a small fresh water fish in the ocean of the scary internet, and all of a sudden I feel pressure. Self imposed pressure, because really, nothing has changed. Yet I find myself freaking out over the key board as to whether or not things are boring here at the blog.

What if people stop reading if I don't post everyday? Should I post more than once a day like some of the bloggers out there? How can I get more readers? How come I got 20readers a day last week, but this week only 15? Maybe people know I am not a writer? Maybe they think I think I'm a writer because I have a blog? How in the world could you be a blogger and not realize that under every blog there is a budding writer?

I'm making myself crazy.

OK...Crazier.

It's not as bad as I am making it sound. I am not thinking about the blog 24/7. I only think about it every time I sit with a pen in my hand or keyboard under my fingertips. Write something good! Write something deep! Write about something that will make people laugh! These thoughts are impeding my ability to write, both on the blog and in my personal writing. As if now I must change the world through the power of La Vida!

However, I do enjoy reading about the thought life of those who are writers...which is why I frequent the Girls Write Out blog. It fascinates me to see a small glimpse of what they are thinking and doing while in the process of writing.

I also enjoy getting to meet new people through this blogging community. If you've been lurking I'd love to get to know ya!

But for the record: I'm not a writer, I just play one on the blog.

Now that that's been said I hope next week will bring a little more room for creativity. It might not always be deep, it might not always be funny, it might not always make sense, it certainly won't always be interesting, but it will always be me.

Since this blog was started with friends in mind, and I have picked up (and reacquainted!) a few friends in the process, I just wanted you to know.

Thursday, September 06, 2007

I just got here from a doctors appointment. Whew! Getting established in a new town is so hard! But this is (almost) the last thing I have to do before we can finally feel rooted in this town. I still have to make an appointment for my dentist, but after that we can officially say we are settled.

I am grateful for health care. I know I say that after every appointment, but it's true. Unfortunately not everybody has good health care so I am thankful for it.

I am also thankful that, FINALLY!, after over a year, I have been referred to an allergist to find out why I am having chronic hives. Hopefully I am not allergic to chocolate or coffee, cuz I ain't given that up.

OK, so I am sitting hear typing, and eating, and I have to tell you that if you were in my home right now, eating the lunch pictured above, I would take the WasaCrackers off your plate and throw them in the trash. Holy Moses! These things are terrible! It looks, and tastes, just like cardboard. I was trying to find a whole wheat cracker without trans-fats and I stumbled on these in the store. The package makes them sound and look so tasty. That was some false advertising.

Next time I will just make homemade biscuits, like I learned to make in NC...They may not be as healthy but, for heaven sake, life is too short to eat cardboard. Of course, maybe, if you put something on them, like a nice brie cheese, slightly melted, with apricot preserves, then perhaps they would be a little more palatable! Anything tastes good with warm brie cheese. MMMmmmm.....

When i visited the Doctor today I was kind of surprised by the number of really old people there. Like for a moment I thought I might be in the wrong office. "No," they said, "you're in the right place. Thanks for being early for your appointment."

I could've been there late. Although I arrived 15 minutes early to fill out the required paperwork, I STILL wasn't called back to a room until 40 minutes past my scheduled time. This drives me insane. I know, it's a short drive. But I just hate to sit in a waiting room full of hacking individuals who are obviously sicker than dogs. I just imagine the germs floating all over the place, just waiting to pounce on me and get me sick! OK, now you know what I nut I really am. Well, more of a germ phobe than a nut. (Quick sip of Passion ice tea.)

All right. I actually had a completely different post planned for today. But I have received two phone calls during this working lunch and now I have to go get those sweet kids of mine from school.

I know that most of you reading this are on a completely different time zone than I am, but whenever, and wherever, you read this, know that I loved having lunch with you! It was fun.

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Have you ever seen the musical You're a Good Man Charlie Brown? It's one of my favorites. Do you remember this song?

Happiness

Happiness is finding a pencil.Sleeping in moon light.Telling the time.Happiness is learning to whistle.Tying your shoeFor the very first time.Happiness is playing the drumIn your own school band.And happiness is walking hand in hand.

Happiness is two kinds of ice cream.Knowing a secret.Climbing a tree.Happiness is five different crayons.Catching a firefly.Setting him free.And happiness is being alone every now and then.And happiness is coming home again.

Happiness is morning and evening,Daytime and nighttime too.For happiness is anyone and anything at allThat's loved by you.

Happiness is having a sister.Sharing a sandwich.Getting along.Happiness is singing togetherWhen day is through,And happiness is those who sing with you.

Happiness is morning and evening,Daytime and nighttime too.For happiness is anyone and anything at allThat's loved by you.

In Fourth grade we sang this in the school choir. Sometimes, when I have moments of gratitude this song just pops in my head.

What I love about this song is that often it is the simple things in life that bring joy. In a world that says we must have what our heart desires, and have it now, I love this song that celebrates the "stuff" in life that can be overlooked and is so very important!

Tomorrow I will post my own list. Tell me, what makes you happy? If you want to post a list for yourself on your blog, go for it! Just let me know in the comments where I can find your list!

Monday, September 03, 2007

Yes, I caved. The Girl has been asking for a fish for a long time. She took her lemonade money and purchased Lenny at the pet shop yesterday afternoon. Of course, she didn't have enough cash for the fish, net, food, water softener and the bowl.

So Lenny now lives in my cookie jar.

The Girl spent most of yesterday afternoon checking on, singing to, and talking about Lenny. She loves Lenny's first portrait (above) because she says he is smiling and puffing up his fins, which, according to The Girl, means he is happy. And, "Mom! Lenny is happy, because he makes his face look just like a sea otter when he is happy!"

How do we know that Lenny is a boy? Because The Pet Shop Lady said so. She checked I guess.

Of course on the ride home The Boy began to wish that he had bought a Beta too. This is when The Girl said he would only need to buy the fish as she would share Lenny's accessories, with the exception of the bowl, which The Boy would have to buy himself, because Beta's are particular about their living arrangements. This is what she said:

Boy Beta with Boy Beta = Fight to the death.

Girl Beta with Girl Beta = Fight to the death.

Boy Beta with Girl Beta; Nothing.

The boy just annoys the girl.

Lenny came with a fifteen day guarantee. I am not sure how I feel about this. Is this a good thing or does this tell you something? Like, Don't get too attached.

The Mister and I laughed a little bit on the way home from the pet shop because the Pet Shop Lady said with "proper care" Lenny could live for up to four years! I hope Lenny lives a good long life. I just hope that 3-4 years from now we aren't making arrangements to get Lenny to a new duty station.

When the Girl woke up this morning, she checked Lenny out first. No Kisses good morning. No asking for milk. No hurry to eat. She asked Lenny how he slept.

And He smiled at her. Which I guess is Beta-ese for, "Slept great. Although my new digs smell slightly of chocolate chip cookies."